i HEART the philippines

Sheda and Arezo...just for you


So I've been back from the Philippines for almost 3 weeks now. And all I can really say, is my heart lives there. The original reason for my trip was because my aunty was sick. My mum went for two weeks to help out and I followed soon after, u know to help out with her healing process - after all it is as if I am the family clown that can make people laugh.

It was my first time travelling alone internationally but it didn't bother me although I was wondering who I'd talk to for a whole day. Noone.

I had a 5 hour stop over in Malaysia and decided to sleep in the waiting area like a real person in transit. I then walked around, shopped, ate, internetted then jumped on my next flight.

MANILA - What can I say? I embrace Manila. Let me sum up a few of my observations that really makes this place what it is:

- When driving, if you can squeeze 6 cars into 4 lanes then do so.
- If you want to take over an oncoming lane so that there are 2 lanes going one way and 4 lanes going the other (instead of what originally was 3 and 3), then do so.
- Noone wears shoes and socks - it's thongs, thongs and thongs.
- There are no prams for kids, they are either in your arms or already walking (even if they look too young to be walking).
- Air con and temperature are ALWAYS two extremes.
- Everyone sings and CAN sing.
- There are so many shopping malls that it blows my mind.
- People have drivers and maids.
- Ice Tea is as common as water.

These are just a few things that really stood out for me.

Anyway, back to the trip - I spent the first four days shopping and shopping with my mum before she left back to Australia. I would spend most days at home doing work, heading out for lunch here and there and then visiting my aunty in hospital.

My mum and I were also very fortunate to have dinner with the Laurel family at the Shangri-La Hotel. We met most of Paolo's family which was really lovely (Paolo is a friend of Fan's who lived with us for a few months)


I managed to fulfil my duty but just for one night in the hospital as care-taker. Unfortunately the night that I stayed there was a blackout. No light or no aircon for most of the night. Not a pleasant way to be spending time in a hospital.

Mons in hospital mode:

Oh, and I walked downstairs one day to see the people downstairs preparing for a party and cleaning their own chickens. It was definitely something I had to take pictures of...

I also got a chance to jump on a bus to the Bicol region. In particular, Camaligan where my family live. After an 8 hour bus ride (lying down on a lazy boy recliner!!) I arrived in the wee hours of the morning to be greeted by my Uncle Joy, and my cousins Adrian and Glenn. By the time we got home, the kids were up and getting ready for school. I spent a day in the town of Naga, exploring the markets and shopping centres.

Here I found some dried fish which is a real delicacy!

The streets of Naga...YES they have McDonald's!!

Here are some pics of my family members (aunties, uncles, cousins...)

I got back to Manila and spent a night out with some of my Aunty's employees - Arlene, Yvette and Rodney. We had a great night out down at the Baywalk (where we ran into a hilarious midget man), rode on a horse and carriage, and finished up at Karaoke!!


And another GREAT thing...all you can eat Japanese for 10 aussie dollars!! Yeah, all that food was for two people...


And that was almost it. I had another dinner with Peter and Maia which was really nice and saw some of the girls I had been out with the week before when I went with Peter and Maia to Tanya's birthday party. We went to Quezon city where all the bars are and I got to 'spin' at one of the bars which was awesome!

And then it was all over. Time to pack my bags (which were 15kgs over!!) and head home to Melbourne. My aunty was home and feeling much better. It was sad to leave...but not without plans of heading back soon.

My Aunty Beq

For more photos head to
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=10125&l=8a3ba&id=729616350
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=9457&l=7fa24&id=729616350